Lifestyle

Monday, December 20, 1999

Defensive driving available on-line

Defensive driving is now available on-line. The Texas Education Agency
(TEA) has approved the first on-line defensive driving course, txdriving.com.
After two years of consideration, the TEA has authorized tx.driving.com
to deliver defensive driving to anyone wishing to dismiss a traffic ticket
or reduce his or her insurance premium.

The 6-hour course is especially convenient for those who work odd hours,
are hearing impaired or who live in a community that does not offer defensive
driving courses.

Log on to txdriving.com.

Winter skin can be softened

Adopting a simple skin care routine can be the solution to dry skin during
the cold weather months.

"Dry, itchy, flaky and scaly skin is a common winter complaint," said
Dr. Sylvia Hsu, a dermatologist in Houston. "This condition usually continues
through the winter months when the humidity is low."

The condition is called xerosis. It mostly affects the lower legs, hands
and arms and can usually be controlled with a few changes to the daily
routine. Avoid long, hot showers during the winter because hot water will
dry out the skin. Instead, take lukewarm showers or baths that last less
than five minutes.

After bathing, pat the skin dry with a towel and apply moisturizer within
30 minutes.

Folate helps unborn babies

Eating a diet filled with plenty of folate will help mothers-to-be build
a good defense against birth defects.

"Folate is a water-soluble vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects,
of which, spina bifida is the most common," said Joan Carter, a dietitian
in Houston. "If a woman has plenty of folate in her body at the time of
conception, she can reduce the risk of delivering a child with a neural
tube defect by 50 to 70 percent."

Mothers encouraged to consume at least 400 micrograms of folate a day.
It can be found in orange juice, lentils, black and pinto beans, spinach,
asparagus and broccoli.